Picture Perfect Productions: Taking School Announcements to the Next Level
by Abigayle Frazier-Hansen
Thanks to a GIPS Foundation Classroom Grant, students at Stolley Park Elementary are taking their morning announcements to the next level. The Picture Perfect Productions project is bringing professional media tools to the classroom, giving students hands-on experience in video production while transforming how the school shares news each morning.
The project’s goal is simple but powerful: to make morning announcements better by adding a new digital camera and lens. With a second camera in the studio, student producers can create more dynamic, visually interesting content that grabs attention and delivers key messages in a more engaging way. This helps students and staff stay informed and feel more connected to the school.
The impact of this grant goes far beyond a better broadcast. Students involved in producing the announcements are developing real-world skills in video production and communication. By working with professional-grade equipment, they’re learning how to frame shots, operate a camera, and edit footage—skills that are in high demand in today’s world. Teacher Kevin Butters shared, “one of the things that I enjoy most about this morning announcements program is being able to see kids grow into kind of almost a profession.”
The Picture Perfect Productions project also emphasizes personalized learning. Students can explore their interests, whether it’s being in front of the camera, writing scripts, directing, or managing equipment. A few students shared with us that their favorite parts of announcements range from the Wednesday joke, to skits, to editing videos. Working both alone and in teams, students are finding what they’re good at and building confidence in a creative, supportive environment.
Each day, the impact of this grant is seen throughout the school. Students across all grades benefit from the improved quality of the announcements, which are now more engaging, professional, and fun to watch. The students involved in morning announcements are building media literacy and communication skills that will serve them their whole lives. As digital communication becomes increasingly important in education, business, and daily life, projects like Picture Perfect Productions are helping students become thoughtful, capable creators—not just consumers—of media.
Thanks to support from the GIPS Foundation, Picture Perfect Productions is giving students the tools they need to lead, learn, and make a difference—one announcement at a time.
If this story has sparked an idea for YOUR school or classroom, learn more here.
"You get to work together to share with the whole school" - Hudson
"one of the things that I enjoy most about this morning announcements program is being able to see kids grow into kind of almost a profession" - Kevin Butters
